591
"Oh, oh...!"
Bubare exclaimed in admiration, completely unaware of the fact even in his dreams as he gazed at the machinery and blueprints with insatiable awe.
"Is this what you call engineering? Ha! Hey, unlucky young man. Do you really think this is just engineering?"
Young man, the so-called Qwaul, seemed to be getting hot in the face for some reason.
The Golden Snow tribe's products were making the bandit boss Qwaul look like a muscular young man. The face hidden by the beard also seemed quite handsome.
"It's engineering."
"You fool! This is not just engineering, it's art, art! Ah, it's frustrating to leave such a precious work to people like you. The complex and geometric codes, designs that no masterpiece can match."
Since all of the complicated codes Bubare said were created by Qwaul, he was receiving both curses and praise from him at the same time.
Heung, hat, hoo, and so on. Listening to Bubare's unpleasant and creepy praises was a painful experience for both sides.
As if Jin had barely tolerated the sound the whole time, he quickly retrieved the items as soon as the time came.
"Oh, already!?"
"Yes, it's over, so leave."
"Can't you let me see a bit more...!"
"Get your hands off me, before I cut them off."
Bubare flinched at Jin's cold voice and took a step back from him.
"Heh, hehe! After all, you'll need my help to understand the artwork anyway! When that time comes, even if you beg, I won't help you!"
Bubare mistakenly believed that he had gathered quite a bit of information from the items. From Bubare's perspective, it was partly true.
Kinzelo's executives also felt sorry for him, but they guessed that he might have gained some substantial information when they saw the excited Bubare.
If you really set the trap without knowing anything, suspicion could arise. Qwaul had thought of such a part, and set the device to the point that Bubare couldn't recognize the key information (by Qwaul's standards).
"Then, this is the end of the meeting."
Suddenly, Jin followed the returning Bubare.
"No, crazy! I get my hands off you like you said, so why, why are you doing this!"
Bubare naturally assumed that Jin was following him with the intention of assaulting or cutting him. That was the only way he perceived it.
The rest of the executives were clearly aware of whom Jin's bloodlust was aimed at.
Bianca Kaligo.
Jin was heading towards the first princess of the Kaligo family after passing Bubare who had fallen while running away.
"What is your name, demon?"
"Bianca Kaligo.... What...… business...… Do you have with me?"
"I was wondering how strong I needed to become to receive the price for the left arm of the Black Knight Sir Mon."
"Who…. is that?"
An invisible fighting spirit raged between the two. Like a powder keg ready to explode at the slightest spark.
It was Jin who withdrew the energy first.
"I'll tell you next time."
Bianca turned and looked at Jin as he strode back to his companions, and in an instant she realized that her hairs had stood on end.
"Fuck, you're rude to the end! A lowly human bastard! Unnie, you should have just thrown out your weapon!"
Ainas, who had been shrunken by the energy of the two, suddenly shouted angrily.
If Jin had just drawn his sword and started the fight, Bianca could have been guaranteed a 100% victory.
But then, a strange uneasiness crept in. She felt that the moment she could defeat Jin was now and only now.
"Grand Duchess... Margiella."
"Tell me, Princess Kaligo."
"It's better… to kill…. him now, wouldn't it?"
If not now, he might become more dangerous than the entire Runcandel. Bianca was saying that.
"Well, it seems unlikely that he'll be on our side. But he still has things to do for the world."
"He seems to know well that even if he runs wild like that, we won't kill him yet, Miss Margiella. You gave the devil too much information."
"Isn't the devil originally an absurd being? When the angel awakens, he will repent."
Even after Jin's party disappeared on the Mort, Bianca couldn't take her eyes off the spot where Jin had left.
* * *
While Jin and his allies were talking, Jet moved all of Qwaul's inventions from his cabin to Tikan.
"Did he say Bubare Gaston? That disgusting bastard. Still, it's pretty great. I don't know about his head, but his dexterity alone seemed to surpass mine."
Qwaul said, examining his inventions. Jin broke a few, but most of them were intact. Amela's eyes twinkled as she gazed at inventions.
"He couldn't get core information because of the trap, but he was the original developer of Demon God's Orb, and he's presumed to be the reincarnation of the God of Sculpture. Perhaps he will make something out of the information he got this time. He seems to have a special power even for the leader of those bastards who is presumed to be incapable of external activities."
"As long as their technological advancement doesn't exceed Qwaul's expectations, it shouldn't be a big problem."
"Even if you have good hands, if you don't have a head, there is no answer. As for the battleship, they have a finished product called Grenil anyway, so they'll come soon, but they won't even be able to dream of a spatial-time device."
"Even though they already have teleportation abilities in the form of a metal door."
Game-changing technology, battleships and teleportation devices.
Now, Runcandel's technology, which was far behind Zipfel and Kinzelo, both in terms of development capabilities and will, will be on par with them or even ahead of them.
To be precise, it was not Runcandel technology but the technology of the Vamel alliance.
"Orgal, the Demon Beast King...…."
As the two talked, Cuicantelle thought of Kinzelo's leader.
Orgal, the Demon Beast King, Cuicantelle also talked about him several times with Murakan. She was especially confused in her head.
"I know he was betrayed by Helluram and died. Besides, at the time of the Colon massacre, I heard that Myuron summoned Orgal from hell and tried to possess him?"
"I'm curious about that part too, Miss Cuicantelle."
To confirm Orgal's death, Jin briefly summoned Tess, who was recovering, but Tess also seemed to know that he had died. The same was true of Shuri, who was the ruby cat of Helluram.
"Come to think of it, whenever the topic of Orgal came up, Murakan and I naturally changed the subject. I didn't think much of him, but perhaps that was also due to manipulation of history."
"What kind of person is Orgal?"
Jin had only heard from Murakan that he was a 'remarkable demon'. However, there aren't many beings in the world that Murakan would personally evaluate as remarkable.
"I don't remember the details. However, Murakan and I didn't dislike him, and in some ways, we even respected him."
"Respect? Murakan?"
"Yes. Just enduring Helluram's curse alone was enough for the whole world to owe him."
"Are you saying he stopped the curse of Helluram from spreading to the world?"
"Yes. I remember that clearly. The fact that he stopped one of the insane Temar or Murakan is not in my memory."
"If it's that much, maybe even Zipfel itself doesn't know that they manipulated Orgal's history."
If so, the fact that Myuron Zipfel tried to possess Orgal was also explained.
Above all, at that time, Myuron's possession of dark magic had not fully casted. Before the magic could be completed, Jin cut down the gate of hell that he summoned.
"Even if Zipfel knew, there's also the possibility that the information didn't pass down to Myuron."
"It's quite possible. Because there is so much history that has been lost or manipulated over a thousand years. Even my memories of him protecting the world from Helluram cannot be considered complete. Anyway, if Kinzelo's goal is to purify the world, then there's something in common with Orgal's image in my unstable memory."
Whatever Kinzelo's true intentions may be, everyone agreed that those madmen should not be allowed to seize control of the world.
In any case, the only way to find out the truth of history was to find and confirm Solderet's legacy while waiting for Valeria's record magic to perfect.
"It will be important when Orgal will fully recover."
Runcandel, Zipfel, and Kinzelo. Recovery is the key to all three factions.
No one could predict which faction would recover first.
Therefore, what the heads of each faction had to do was to regroup as quickly as possible during the ceasefire.
In that respect, Jin already had the best conditions. He was lucky enough to get Qwaul right from the start, and since the ceasefire was signed, he was able to focus on his growth without hindrance.
However, Jin felt a little uneasy because he could not be sure that he had the most advantage.
"Yes. But don't worry too much. The world will still keep going on while you're gone."
Cuicantelle could tell exactly what kind of unease Jin harbored as he was about to depart for Laprarosa.
"If something happens to Tikan while you're gone, Murakan will be gone, but now we have the protection of Runcandel. Besides, since the master of the hidden palace is also concentrating on her recovery, Misha will soon return to her original place. Then Murakan will return to Tikan again. Take it easy."
"Alright, Miss Cuicantelle."
"Lord Jin."
Kashmir entered the meeting room and looked for Jin.
"Miss Nodav Sargent has come to Tikan."
Nodav Sargent, that is Sandra Zipfel's alias.
Jin was no longer surprised by her unexpected behavior when she openly visited Tikan at this sensitive time. She was a crazy person who could do worse.
"Did she come alone?"
"No."
Jin expected that she had come with Hedo, but Sandra was accompanied by someone else.
"Veradin Zipfel came with her."
Jin's eyes widened.
Before he left for Laprarosa, he had been worried about whether he could meet him once more.
Because the encounter with the unfortunate friend was entirely up to Zipfel's judgment, not himself.
"In fact, we have already entered a ceasefire, but are sending the two without any escorts. It looks like Zipfel is having a hard time."
Jin immediately understood the intentions of Zipfel's leadership when he learned that they had come without any significant escorts.
"Yes, I think they are trying to use the relationship between the two of you and want to dig up some information, Lord Jin."
"Let's meet them right away."
592
"It's been a while, Jin!"
Veradin shouted brightly.
"Darling, my Jin!"
Sandra, who was next to him, swung the golden prosthetic arm that replaced her right hand and cookie crumbs covered her mouth. Jin was startled for a moment looking at the picture of his face engraved on the golden prosthetic arm.
"I received your reply to the letter I sent last time! Where did you learn such a romantic language?"
"... Reply? Romantic?"
Of course, Jin doesn't remember sending a reply.
However, Sandra firmly believed that Jin had replied to her through some kind of invisible signal.
"You asked me to go to the Radin's villa and hang out with you next time."
"No, when did I?"
"Oh, Jin. Are you really dating elder sister Sandra!? So now you are my...… brother-in-law!?"
"How many times do I have to tell you, Radin? He is not your brother-in-law anymore, but your brother-in-law in the first place."
"I can't believe my friend is my brother-in-law, it feels a bit strange!"
"Isn't it nice?"
"It's strange!"
"What kind of commotion is this in someone else's shop, especially on a holiday?"
As soon as brother and sister arrived in Tikan, they went to the Latrie refreshment store. Then they reluctantly entered the refreshment shop saying 'We are Zipfel!' to Latrie, who announced that today was a holiday.
Instead, they paid a large amount of money that the Latrie refreshment store could not touch even if it worked non-stop for a full year.
The problem was that the two were not the only uninvited guests who were forcibly entered the Latrie refreshment Shop.
Behind the central table occupied by Veradin and Sandra, a person with a deeply hooded cloak was sitting.
'... Valeria!? Why is the teacher here?'
It was Valeria, whom Jin had met just a few days ago at the second castle of Hairan. Jin hadn't heard from Kashmir that she was also at the Litrie refreshment Shop.
-Anyway, you don't need to feel regretful since we'll be seeing each other much more often from now on. There are more things we need to share and help each other with. I plan to use Tikan occasionally in the future when avoiding pursuit from Zipfel.
At that time, Valeria had clearly mentioned that she would stop by near the territory of the Sword Emperor Castle's territory to express gratitude to Ron and visit the succession temple, but she stopped by Latrie refreshment store to take a break for a while. It was because she was tired of dealing with the chaos in the vicinity of the Sword Emperor Castle.
Valeria was always a welcome presence to Jin. Recently, he found Qwaul much faster than expected and recruited him, so he was about to contact Valeria again.
However, the current situation was a bit awkward. He didn't want to meet Valeria alongside the two pure-blood Zipfel.
Fortunately, Veradin and Sandra were not showing any interest in Valeria, who was still sitting in the corner.
"Let's go out and talk."
"I like it here! It was my dream to have a cup of tea with Jin in such a nice atmosphere."
"There is a better... place."
"Where?"
"The meeting room of the Tikan Kingdom."
There was silence for a while.
"Is it because of Hister sitting over there?"
The only one surprised at that remark was Jin.
"Ah, what are you worried about between us? Even though she is wearing a robe, she has red hair and a silver pine wand, but Radin and I are pure-blood Zipfel, so can't we recognize that?"
Valeria already knew that they recognized her. During the long pursuit, her red hair and silver pine staff had already been revealed a long time ago.
Valeria chose to remain silent, knowing that she had no chance of being captured by them. What worried Jin was not Valeria being caught, but the opposite.
Jin was rather worried that she would kill or capture the two of them and use them.
For Valeria, Zipfel is the mortal enemy who destroyed her clan and annihilated the Gray Owl Mercenary Corps.
'Since she has heard about the two of them from me and my companions, has she decided to wait and see?'
Valeria was curious about the two, especially Veradin. Was he really the one who could lead the purification of Zipfel, as the people of Tikan claimed?
Reluctantly, Jin took a seat at the table of the two.
The eyes of Jin and Veradin met. The excited Sandra chatted nonstop, and the two were silent for a while.
The last time Jin met Veradin was during the Sword Emperor terrorist attack.
That day, Jin and Dante asked Veradin for a favor.
In order for Hairan to be able to clearly distinguish between friend and foe, they asked him to make Zipfel to pressure Hairan in earnest.
The results came out a month ago.
It was a bitter and sad ending that everyone knows. Because the imperial family chose Zipfel and white stone over Hairan, and as a result, Glyek awoke and the world was contaminated.
It was an incident that had no choice but to happen even if Veradin hadn't asked his friends, but he was carrying heavy guilt like a punishment.
"How are you?"
"So, so."
"No, he is not doing well! Radin, speak up. If you hadn't forced yourself to lose control, then wouldn't Lord Kadun and Hedo have participated in the Sword Emperor Castle war?"
It was predicted from the battlefield that Veradin would do something for Dante.
"Lost control? Were you in the same condition during the Ventica mission?"
During the mission to kill Barton Vicena, the Black Knight, Veradin lost his sanity and attacked Jin.
"Similar."
"Although the mana you showed at that time was amazing, it wasn't to the extent that you couldn't be subdued without Kadun and Hedo."
"My mana had become much stronger than during the Ventica mission. Now this isn't surprising, is it? Until yesterday, I was stuck in the life support device. Well, thanks to that, my clan won't be able to manipulate my mind for a while."
So far, Zipfel has been manipulating Veradin's mind through special methods, including dark magic and Demon God's orb.
However, it was impossible now because the Demon God's orb was broken and Kelliark was tied to the life support device, and Veradin's body and mind were damaged from running wild.
In the past, when Veradin first confessed about his mind manipulation, Jin thought it was merely for Zipfel to groom Veradin as a suitable successor.
It didn't seem like that now.
"Then, it seems that you've lost all of your mana now."
Jin didn't feel mana from Veradin at all. The current Veradin had a body that couldn't be called that of a mage.
"Not only mana, but also my memories have some issues. I can't remember my siblings' names well, and I've forgotten a lot about magic. It is a side effect of losing control. The mana will definitely return, but I can't be sure about the memories. Well, as for magic, I can always learn it again."
The current Veradin had lost much more memories than Jin thought.
Even so, among the lost memories, the conversations he had with the two people he cherished the most, Jin and Dante, remained intact.
"What the hell is Zipfel trying to do by manipulating your mind and enhancing your mana?"
"Well, all I'm sure of is the fact that my elder sister Sandra and I are some kind of test subjects. As you know, my elder sister is the living golem, and I...… I can't think of anything yet. It's not for grooming me as a successor, as you mentioned before. It's because my father is getting closer and closer to immortality."
The appearance of Kelliark rejuvenating through the power of the Demon God's orb was confirmed by everyone who participated in the Sword Emperor Castle war. It was unlikely that such a Kelliark Zipfel would hand over the patriarchy to Veradin.
Suddenly. Jin came up with an assumption.
'The physical abilities of Sandra Zipfel, which she showed in the Gaifa Islands, far exceeded that of an ordinary mage. And since Veradin's mana is being strengthened at the same time as his mind manipulation...….'
A powerful body with high-speed regenerative abilities and artificial mana enhancement.
What if Zipfel's purpose is to combine the two to create a living golem weapon? It's just like the ultimate magic swordsmen in ancient Runcandel....
Moreover, Veradin had contracted with more than one god at the same time. It wasn't just because Veradin was a blessed mage, it was likely the result of an experiment.
Jin didn't voice that thought. It felt nauseating, as if he would vomit.
"Anyway, I'm sorry. You and Dante have suffered so much because of my clan."
"It's not your fault."
"I am Zipfel. Judging by the way the world is running now, my lineage itself is a sin."
"Such self-pity doesn't suit you, so get rid of it. Dante still has no intention of fighting you, and I don't think you're at fault."
"Are you going to abandon our Radin?"
"I think I need to think about it."
"Okay, just throw away Radin and live happily with me."
Jin let out a chuckle at those words.
"Veradin, do you remember the things I told you during the terror attack?"
-No matter what the situation is, it is good as long as the three of us don't betray each other
Veradin remembered it well. During the time he lost consciousness in the life support device, the words Jin said in the Sword Emperor Castle were the only milestones in Veradin's subconscious. Just as Ron, Dante, and Jin, who were tainted with chaos during the Sword Emperor Castle war, reflected on each other and did not get lost in the end.
"Of course. If it hadn't been for those words, I wouldn't have come here."
"That's enough."
"I don't understand what you're talking about, but include me too."
"It's about betraying Zipfel."
"If you swear to officially marry me, as many times as you want."
In reality, Sandra had never done anything harmful to Jin. And she had already made up her mind to join Veradin in purifying Zipfel.
Only because she thinks Jin will like her more if she does that. Of course, Jin didn't completely trust Sandra, but she would never willingly harm him in the future.
"I'll call Dante, so go back after a drink. When you return, report that Hister's survivor was here. That way, the Zipfel's higher ups won't think there was no gain. It's like turning a suspicion into a confirmation.
"No, no. Jin, you should go on a date with me. You promised, right?"
"I'd appreciate it if you thought of the four of us going on a date together, Sandra Zipfel. I never promised."
Less than an hour later, Dante visited Latrie's refreshment shop. As soon as Dante saw Veradin, he hugged him for a long time without saying a word.
And when the drinking party was over and the Latrie refreshment Shop was quiet again, Jin and Valeria stayed behind to examine the record window together.
"Record magic cannot confirm whether Veradin Zipfel's words about his mind was not manipulated are false or true," Valeria said.
Instead, the record window clearly revealed one record left at the Latrie's refreshment Shop today.
593
Qwaul and Valeria surprisingly communicated well.
"Hmmm, my lord. That cold lady seems to really get along with Dr. Qwaul. That arrogant guy who used to boast loudly to everyone else acts like a gentle lamb around her."
Like the characteristic arrogant personality displayed in the cabin, Qwaul was the human version of Murakan.
When he introduced himself to Jin's companions for the first time, he described himself as the most valuable person in the world. He even told everyone that he would hit them if they felt offended and spoke informally.
Of course, it wasn't out of malice or he was genuinely looking down on others. It was just his manner of speaking, somewhat intense like Murakan's, and given his exceptional abilities, his companions went along with it.
Even though he grumbled, he showed a particularly affectionate side to the children. There was no need to reveal his true self.
However, as Jet said, Qwaul maintained a polite and respectful attitude toward Valeria, so Jin's companions couldn't help but be reminded of Murakan. It was like seeing Murakan treating Jin when he had to get a limited magazine.
"...Huh, that part was a problem that could be solved as you said! Yeah, I've been trying to solve everything too technically."
"It's a common mistake made by engineers. Even a 5-star mage could amplify the effects of that stick device easily."
"Assuming you learned the magic formula I made in 10 minutes while talking to me. I've worked with countless magical geniuses at Zipfel, but none of them could come up with such thoughts and immediately create a spell on the spot. You're in a different league!"
"For an 8-star or higher mage, it is possible to create more than ten effects with one stick device. Let's stop here for today. Your thoughts seem to be quite complicated."
"Yes! As you said, it seemed like I had to sort out the device improvements that came to mind right away. And when will our next conversation be? Just let me know. I have to adjust my working hours to suit yours."
"I'll decide by evening and let you know."
Qwaul immediately took out a pen and wrote something down, and others admired Valeria as she haughtily turned around.
As a disciple of hers, should I say that I am proud of my teacher? Jin felt somewhat better when he saw Valeria's scholarly demeanor after a long time.
"There's no one as lucky as you, Jin Runcandel. Not only are you benefiting from my help, but you also managed to capture such a person."
"It is all thanks to you. One of the conditions that Qwaul said was to have a record mage as an assistant. As I expected, it seems like the one who became the assistant is not you but Qwaul."
"As you expected?"
Valeria made eye contact with Jin.
She was aware that Jin seemed to be speaking as if he knew her well.
"Well, it's just that it's unimaginable for you to become someone's assistant."
Jin chuckled awkwardly.
'By the time the teacher acquires record magic at the level of past life... Will she find out about my regression?'
How would Valeria react at that time? And this thought made his heart feel uneasy.
However, on the other hand, he also thought that Valeria was the only person who could fully unravel his secret.
If the day comes when Valeria can check all of 'Jin Runcandel's records', and if she can share them with his companions, there would be no need for any explanation for everything he had done so far.
Jin, as a regressor, might feel guilt or responsibility, but there was not a single thing that he could be ashamed of.
"Sometimes you talk like you know me well."
At Valeria's direct words, Jin calmly nodded his head.
"Anyone who has seen you even once would have thought the same as I did. And you too, the moment you saw me, you called out my name as if you knew me from before."
The two of them remained silent, looking at each other for a while. Valeria had recalled Jin from her dreams long ago, and Jin remembered her from his past life.
'To me it looks like..… It's definitely not an ordinary relationship. Has he ever looked at a member of the opposite sex with such eyes?'
'At least as far as I know, he didn't, Jet.'
'Yes? Sir Valkas, do you think the same as me? Ha, this. Our Enya will be burning inside out. What about the lady of the hidden palace? If this comes to Madame Talaris's ears...….'
'Both of you, it's better to change the subject. Even if Miss Valeria doesn't hear, the young master might listen from this distance.'
Just like what Gilly said, Jin was roughly understanding what Valkas and Jet were saying. Valeria seemed oblivious.
'Even if she heard, she's not someone who would show interest or react.'
Valeria subtly avoided eye contact first.
"Anyway, I didn't expect to bring such an engineer in such a short time. Qwaul's abilities will be very helpful even for my personal matters. Prepare a room for me in Tikan. I guess I will have to spend a lot of time here."
"Choose any vacant room you like. If you need anything, just ask Gilly or Jet."
"Alright."
"And Valeria."
"Yes?"
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"Not hurting Veradin and Sandra Zipfel. It could have been a golden opportunity for you."
"I didn't just let them go because of your relationship with them, so there's no need for that. I judged that keeping those two alive would have a greater impact on Zipfel in the future."
It was a lie.
Valeria only confirmed Veradin's loyalty to his friends after they had left.
Until she saw that record, she couldn't be sure of Veradin's mindset.
Moreover, depending on how Zipfel would use him in the future, it could be a problem for her.
Therefore, Valeria had simply decided to trust Jin for once before seeing that record.
"... And it's been quite a while since I've seen that kind of record. Right now, it's difficult to read the mind of a person with my record magic."
"Then how?"
"It means that Veradin's sincerity for you and Dante Hairan is deep enough to be recognized by my record magic. I hope he won't forget that feeling and takes the lead in putting an end to Zipfel."
Veradin's goal is not the destruction of Zipfel, but purification.
Naturally, Zipfel would weaken, and Valeria planned to annihilate them when they became weaker.
"Let me tell you in advance, no matter how close someone is to you, they are just Zipfel to me. They took away my roots and family. If the time comes when I destroy him and his clan, and you stand in my way then, our alliance ends there."
Jin didn't answer, and Valeria walked past him a moment later.
Looking at leaving Valeria, Jet teased Jin, asking if Lord was dumped.
* * *
Late May 1800.
The ceasefire agreement between Runcandel and Zipfel was officially announced. The place was the central square of the imperial capital, the very place where the emperor was executed.
Since the founding of the Empire, there had never been a larger crowd than this in the central square.
People from all over the world gathered to watch the announcement of the ceasefire between the two clans.
From Runcandel, the leader of Black Knights, Stam, and from Zipfel, Octavia came out as the representative.
The public guessed that Chiron was in the Black Sea, so they sent other clan members of the same rank as representatives, but it was Runcandel's consideration that the two of them were chosen. Unlike Rosa, Kelliark was still unable to move.
"...This concludes the announcement of the ceasefire between the two clans. On behalf of the Empire, I would like to thank the two clans for making such a great decision. Furthermore, our Empire will do its best to reduce the suffering in the world, working together with these two clans."
At the end of Dante's speech as a witness, cheers spread from the crowd. The atmosphere of the crowd made it feel more like the announcement of the end of the war rather than a ceasefire.
Contaminated areas continued to grow, so the crowd hoped that the great factions would quickly restore the world, regardless of who caused the problem.
However, those with military knowledge, nobles, and politicians who knew the situation understood that the current ceasefire was a fake peace that would barely last a few years. In their eyes, the identification of friends and foes only became clearer.
Dante stepped forward as a witness, but all the witnesses in Hairan were on the Runcandel side, and the imperial family were all on the Zipfel side.
After the announcement of the truce, Hairan delivered the corpses and belongings of the two clans, and Runcandel and Zipfel returned to their respective lands and held a funeral ceremony.
The Garden of Swords had been adorned with black flags signifying mourning for quite some time. After the funeral, more swords were planted into the ground in the garden, and the number of black helmets increased at the mausoleum.
And Jin visited Rosa's office to have a private meeting with her.
It was the first time Jin had returned to the Garden of Swords since the war ended.
Normally, it would have been an unthinkable act, but now the members of the clan couldn't openly show hostility towards him.
Even the elders of the Black Sword Association did not openly criticize Jin, who had now returned to the clan. It was all due to Rosa's strict orders for Jin to be treated well upon his return.
Since the moment Rosa showed her determination to save Jin at the Sword Emperor Castle War, Jin had practically solidified his position as the 'next patriarch' of the clan.
"You are late."
Rosa said in a dry voice. Jin was conscious of her eyes so that he wouldn't see her chaos that wouldn't be covered by her clothes.
"I had a lot to attend to."
"There should have been a harvest."
It was a story about machine and blueprints. Rosa also wondered if Jin had found any clues about the 'chaos erosion'.
"You seem impatient, Mother."
"Are you getting bold with me now?"
"I said that out of concern."
Rosa smiled.
"Since the situation has become more rapid than you expected, you seem to be concerned that I might rush into negotiations with the Prophet."
"I won't deny that. I plan to leave the human world for a while after today."
Rosa's eyes narrowed at those words.
594
There was not a single member of the clan who was in a position to 'inform' Chiron and Rosa.
Rosa wasn't angry at Jin, who said that he would leave again as soon as he arrived.
On the contrary, she felt some anticipation in his confident attitude.
She even saw the appearance of Luna.
Luna also unilaterally informed the clan that she would give up her position as next patriarch.
However, Luna informed about giving up being patriarch, and Jin did the opposite. From Rosa's point of view, everything Jin did was solely to swallow up the clan.
"Now that you have just returned, you are telling something interesting as soon as you see this mother. You must know how messed up the clan is right now. It seems like your awareness as the top-ranking flagbearer of the clan is a bit lacking."
Contrary to the tone of the words, it was not a sarcastic tone. Jin responded with a light smile.
"During this time, I received intensive healing in the Holy Kingdom, and found out the use and maker of the items obtained from the Sota Desert."
"What did you find?"
"As the Prophet said, it was an item that could change the course of war. The machine is a key part of the teleportation device."
Jin deliberately said it was a teleportation device, not a spatial-time device. The two seemingly have similar concepts but distinctly different, and there was no need to share them all with Rosa.
"It's information you obtained through Arya Hister."
Jin was not taken aback by Rosa's confident voice. Having Valeria with him was nothing more than a public secret among the major factions now.
"That's right."
Capturing Valeria and bringing her to the Garden of Swords was a constant mission for the flagbearers.
Rosa did not react differently to that either.
By bringing Joshua down, Rosa had already allowed Jin a certain level of freedom. Jin was not crossing the line she had set.
"The creator of that item is Lokia Ganesto, one of the ten great knights of ancient Runcandel."
"... Lokia Ganesto?"
"Yes. Lokia Ganesto was forgotten due to Zipfel's manipulation of history a thousand years ago. But just as the clan curse has been lifted as the power of Zipfel has weakened this time, the history of the ancient Runcandel, which was destroyed by them, is being revealed little by little."
Ganesto.
Rosa had been aware of that name long before the power of the story began to fade.
"According to what you said, teleportation devices and battleship construction was already a thousand years old technology, and our clan lost them to Zipfel at some point."
"Are there no records related to that in our clan?"
"There are none. Even if there were, records about the time of losing the items are meaningless, and if there were records informing how to immediately use the items, you would have had to attribute them to the clan right away."
What was important to Rosa was the immediate victory and survival, not the discovery of lost history.
Jin believed that they could never win without restoring the glory of ancient Runcandel, but Rosa didn't share that belief.
"The item is still in an unusable state."
"So, how much more time do you need?"
"I don't know. The reason I am leaving the human world is to complete things with the help of my brethren."
The reason Jin wanted to leave for Laprarosa was not just for personal training.
A flying battleship that uses an illuminating heart as its power source. Seeing Zipfel's mass-produced fleet for the first time in the Sota Desert, Jin dreamed of something like that.
'If only teacher and Qwaul could complete the spatial-time device and use it to summon my brethren in the human world. It won't just be an absurd story.'
Theoretically, it was possible, as Qwaul had already assured by looking at the illuminating heart in Jin's chest.
"Even if it takes time, can it be completed with the help of the Plutonian tribe?"
"I cannot guarantee that."
"Still, don't know, can't guarantee. You keep saying things that don't suit you. Granting you autonomy doesn't mean you can say whatever you want."
"It won't be different from the Acting matriarch suspending judgment on whether or not it would be better to negotiate with the Prophet rather than me. And I think that you must have already resisted the temptation of the Prophet once in the Sword Emperor Castle war."
-Please reinstate the 2nd flagbearer. If you do, the Prophet will support you.
-Yes, you are not my daughters if you don't disappoint me. Get lost! If, when I return to the family, any of the 12th flagbearer's companions are dead, you will be immediately executed.
Jin did not hear the conversation between Rosa, Myu and Anne during the war, but he was sure that the Prophet had suggested something to Rosa. The fact that Rosa rejected it as well.
'If my mother had made a deal with the Prophet at that time, things would have changed before Sir Ron became genesis knight. Joshua would have been reinstated now.'
Joshua is still imprisoned in the dungeon.
And the reason Rosa cut Myu and Anne's proposal with a single stroke at that desperate moment was because she knew that the Prophet would eventually have no choice but to 'coexist' with Runcandel.
She calculated that if Runcandel was really going to be destroyed by Glyek, Prophet would have lent her strength even if she refused. The prophet had no other option for the fulfillment of the prophecy.
"I haven't disappointed you so many times, acting matriarch. So trust me."
"The youngest."
"Yes."
"Are you so afraid of me negotiating with the Prophet? To the point where you have to beg me."
Only now did Rosa realize what Jin wanted to say to her.
"It might look like begging. Then, this time, I will ask you, acting matriarch...…"
How much time do you have left?
Jin spoke in a solemn voice. What he was concerned about was Rosa's 'demonicization'.
He had no means to confirm at what rate the chaos that tainted Rosa was engulfing her.
'My mother was definitely exposed to the greatest level of chaos.'
When Ron sacrificed his life to prevent Glyek's self-destruction, naturally, it was Rosa and Kelliark who bore the most in the aftermath.
Kelliark was able to protect himself to some extent by using Demon God's orb as a shield, but all Rosa had left was a single sword and the clan members waiting for death behind her.
It was thanks to her sheer brute force that she seemed to be moving quite well despite being exposed to more chaos than Kelliark.
Demonicization.
Jin experienced greater chaos than anything else in the subspace of Glyek. So he knew well how that power could plunge people into madness and insanity.
Even Ron would have become a monster without being able to overcome demonicization without Jin and Dante. Jin expected that Rosa was undergoing a process similar to what he and Ron had experienced at that time.
No, he was convinced. In Jin's eyes, it was clear that Rosa was resisting demonicization to maintain her composure every moment.
"You seem to be looking down at me a little."
Rosa did not show her anger this time either.
It was because she wasn't sure if the size of anger that soared right now was entirely her own. If there was even the slightest influence of demonicization mixed in, she had to suppress it by all means.
"Just like I did, please be honest with me, Acting matriarch. If the situation is extremely urgent, I cannot leave you and leave, acting matriarch."
They looked into each other's eyes.
Both looked at the enemy. They both have the same goal of survival and prosperity of Runcandel, but the paths they were walking were so different. To the extent that they can't help but become enemies even while running toward the same destination.
"If my answer is negative, does that mean you will change your plans?"
"My visit to Laprarosa's brethren is unchanged. It's the only way to complete items. However, if the remaining time for you is shorter than I expected, I will cut off the prophet's limbs before leaving."
"The Prophet's limbs?"
"After Joshua's demise, I'm pretty sure 8th and 9th flagbearers have become the Prophet's new messengers. If I kill them, the Prophet will need some time to recover. Then, naturally, the opportunity for the Prophet to get closer to you will be reduced, acting matriarch. Even while I'm gone."
Jin asserted with a confident tone.
The fact that Myu and Anne became messengers of the Prophet was just a suspicion. Moreover, it was uncertain how much impact the Prophet would suffer if they were killed. Jin had no real intention of actually killing them.
Even if it was clearly revealed that Myu and Anne were the Prophet's limbs, there will be a lot of information to be obtained through them.
"Yes, as you said, even if Myu and Anne became the limbs of the Prophet. Do you think I would just stand by and watch?"
"I will take care of the two even if the acting matriarch and the entire clan are against it."
In other words, Jin was threatening Rosa based on mere suspicion.
The reason for this was that Rosa and Runcandel were not in a situation where they could crush Jin and Vamel alliance with a single word like before the war.
"And I don't know about the clan, but the Prophet probably won't have the power to stop me right now. If she had that kind of power, she would have already taken over the clan when Joshua was around. It's true that the Prophet uses special abilities with chaos, but she's definitely in trouble."
Just like Kinzelo's leader, Orgal, the Demon Beast King.
Jin swallowed the words and smiled.
"Also, I will announce the existence of the Prophet to the world in the justification of killing them. Especially now, when the world hates chaos because of Glyek. If the fact that our clan has been dealing with chaos for a long time is revealed by my own words..."
"Enough."
Jin stopped talking.
"Even in your absence, you can sprinkle sewage over the clan's reputation at any moment when I negotiate with the Prophet. After all, your four people are outside of Laprarosa, aren't they?"
"Yes."
Rosa, who had been glaring at Jin ever since the word that he would kill Myu and Anne came out, eventually burst into laughter at that point.
"Now you're talking like yourself."
"I will take it as a compliment."
"Your notice was well received. I'll do my calculations more carefully, so set aside your concerns about my demonicization. Just remember that the threat is only valuable until it's executed."
"Of course."
"3 years."
Rosa looked at her blackened wrist and said.
"Assuming my demonic nature proceeds at the same rate as now, I should be able to endure for about three years. Make sure to come back within that time."
595
Within three years, Rosa Runcandel's time will come to an end.
It wasn't known whether it was death or becoming a monster like Smarion Proch, or something else.
The possibility was extremely slim, but if she could successfully overcome 'demonicization,' she might reach Genesis Knight like Ron did.
However, Jin decided to exclude the possibility of Rosa ascending to the Genesis knight.
Not just anyone, Rosa herself used the expression 'I will endure,' and according to Jin's thoughts, Rosa believed it was impossible to completely get rid of the demonicization with her own power.
Even Chiron, who has already reached Genesis knight, was aware that the time left for him was not that long. Rosa knew her condition better than anyone.
"Rather, what you should be concerned about is Zipfel's recovery, not me. Kelliark Zipfel can't even move at the moment...… but he'll probably regain his strength faster than me."
Rosa was not the only one in the clan who fell into demonicization.
The black knights and the elite knights who survived the war were also exposed to large and small chaos. The same goes for Zipfel.
"Whenever he regains his strength, he won't be able to move recklessly within the agreed period."
"I guess so. However, there's no way you won't be unaware that it doesn't mean anything. When the ceasefire is over, if they have overwhelming power over us. That day is the beginning of extinction."
The official ceasefire was for five years.
The public hoped the ceasefire would last forever, but both clans knew it was the final respite of the long thousand-year war, the calm before the storm.
After the ceasefire ends, the final winner and loser will definitely be decided.
"So, this is your last chance. Use every means possible to prove that you were right. If you succeed, you'll have everything the clan owns."
'If I give them the confidence to stop their demonicization, complete the machine and fleet, and lead the Thousand Year War to victory.'
Jin will be the patriarch. Rosa was talking about that.
Jin reached the final journey to ascend to the throne of Runcandel. However, one thing felt a little strange, but Jin did not believe Rosa's words straight away.
"The youngest."
"Yes, mother."
"The prophet has already said that you can immediately execute everything you intend to do. But the reason I'm giving you a chance is because Chiron believes in you...… and there is a part of you that has influenced me a little."
"I didn't think the day would come when I heard a joke from my mother. I don't know that you are weighing me and the Prophet."
Rosa smiled at Jin's lifeless voice.
"Hope that the scale tips in your direction."
"Mother, the Prophet. And former 2nd flagbearer Joshua Runcandel, who is imprisoned in a dungeon."
Jin turned around and stopped talking for a moment.
"I will definitely finish them with my own hands, so I hope you will be well until then."
"It was a bold statement that brought tears to my eyes. I think the conversation is over, so let's go out."
Jin naturally followed Rosa and left the office.
Suddenly, he realized that this was the first time he had walked through the Garden of Swords alongside Rosa.
Moreover, Rosa's steps were as cheerful as those of someone who had good news.
It was the first time Jin had seen Rosa like that.
"All members on standby in the house line up in the garden."
Rosa didn't call anyone separately, and she didn't even raise her voice. She simply uttered it into the air, but Rosa's command spread instantly.
Even though she wasn't in a normal state, her presence still exuded majesty.
It took less than three minutes for flagbearers, knights, elders, butlers, scribes, and servants to gather in the garden.
Rosa stopped walking, and Jin looked down at the clan members with her for a while.
"From today, the 12th flagbearer will begin closed-door training. I gathered you all to announce this, so wish him good luck."
The clan was in a precarious situation, and everyone was enduring restless days, yet closed-door training.
Most were shocked, but no one dared to express it.
It was because Rosa had acknowledged it.
"When 12th flagbearer returns, everyone here should show an improved appearance than now, as the 12th flagbearer has always done."
In fact, Rosa's actions now were nothing less than a proclamation that the current generation of flagbearers' war of hegemony was over.
She was saying that once the training was over, Jin would immediately become the patriarch.
All flagbearers except Luna, Luntia and Joshua were gathered.
'The youngest... becomes the patriarch?'
'After the closed-door training is over!?'
The Tona brothers barely concealed their bewildered feelings.
Ran and Vigo were startled for a moment, but immediately lowered their eyes. From the beginning, they had never actively participated in the competition for the patriarchy.
Myu and Anne showed no reaction. It was now a well-known fact that they had changed.
But Diphus and Mary were certain, just as Jin had said in the office, that this was not the end.
In particular, Diphus was recalling the conversation he had with Jin right after Joshua's fall.
-So what you're saying is, the mother is going to manipulate the Prophet and later put everything on her and reinstate Joshua, right?
-Not only that, but mother reestablished her authority by causing Joshua's fall. The stain from the exile incident will disappear after this incident. Because she showed a strong determination by directly suspending the second flagbearer that she supported so much. Regardless of the details, the clan members can only fear Mother more in the future.
-After raising her power to its limit, raise Joshua back to the ground and transfer all authority...… All sins and justifications are borne by the prophet.
'The battle of hegemony will not end until Mother, Joshua, and the Prophet die.'
Myu and Anne had some kind of relationship with the Prophet. They haven't found any confirmation yet, but that's what Diphus and Mary guessed.
Their job was to keep the Prophet in check until Jin returned.
One of the reasons Jin was able to leave like this was his trust in them and Luntia.
Unlike the two, Luntia didn't have an overtly friendly relationship with him. Still, her pure fighting spirit was never easily tainted by the Prophet's schemes.
"Go."
As Rosa said, the knights split into two sides and formed a path leading outside the Garden of Swords.
The first Laprarosa journey during the reserve flagbearer days in 1796 was a choice to avoid Zipfel and Kinzelo from getting a compass.
The second trip to Laprarosa in 1798 was to hide from the wanted orders of Runcandel and Zipfel.
And now, the third Laprarosa trip.
For the first time, it was not a fugitive, but a confident departure for full achievement. That too, while receiving departure from all the members of the clan.
As Jin walked slowly, knights raised their swords in salute as he passed.
Rosa watched the back of her youngest son, gradually moving clan, thinking about the name 'Ganesto,' the fate of the family, and Chiron.
* * *
Shortly after the end of the Sword Emperor Castle war, Chiron's expedition team also concluded the fight with Kial.
The battle ended in victory for the expedition team, and no one died.
It is true that the strength of the expedition team was transcendent, but originally Chiron had expected to lose a few knights.
As the battle reached its climax, Glyek's death affected Kial as well.
As soon as he recognized the disappearance of Glyek, Kial became frenzied, losing his sanity.
Of course, there were no casualties, and the damage the expedition team received was by no means small.
It's already been a month since the battle, but the expedition team couldn't move forward, and they were taking care of themselves.
It was because they were all exposed to chaos.
[Ha ha ha. Old man! Your meal is ready...… If everyone takes a seat, I, Ozdock, will bring it to you!]
Ozdock said as he put the dish made from the remnants of chaos into a bowl.
Even Ozdock, who had passed out after being bounced all the way to the far side of the battlefield, had a trace of chaos clinging to him. However, it was still at a level where it couldn't affect his sanity.
In other words, he was the only one in the expedition team in a relatively unscathed condition.
And the knights found an unexpected side to him. When the battle was over and the knights were on the verge of death, Ozdock could have easily fled.
Ozdock, however, chose to stay and assist in the recovery of the knights.
It wasn't because he feared facing a gruesome death at the hands of Chiron upon returning from the expedition.
It was a decision made only because he felt a sense of loyalty as a member of the expedition team, and also because he deemed it the right thing to do. The knights were well aware of this fact.
"Thank you... Ozdock."
"Thank you."
Ozdock felt his chest swell with emotion at Luna and the knights' voices. On the other hand, it also hurts. While they were not dead, most of the knights were already engulfed in chaos to an irreversible extent.
The only future given to them was either turning into monsters during the expedition or meeting their demise.
As the power of the story weakened, Ozdock also regained some of his old memories. According to faintly emerging memories, the only one who had the power to eliminate chaos was the witch Helluram.
'A thousand years ago, I heard that Helluram disappeared somewhere in the Black Sea. Ugh, my memories are slowly coming back, but it's still vague. The condition of the old man is like that, so he can't ask if I know anything related to it...….'
Naturally, Chiron was the one who had suffered the most from chaos. Since the end of the battle, he had remained silent, sitting in an upright position without uttering a single word.
"Ozdock."
[Ehh, eugh, old man!]
Ozdock lifted his head while clutching his sore buttocks. Chiron had called him suddenly after being like a statue for a month, and it felt like his liver was falling.
[Oh, Old man! Are you all right! You're awake!]
"Patriarch!"
Ozdock quickly got up, while Luna and the knights almost crawled towards Chiron.
Chiron slowly rose and spread his energy towards them.
It was a mixture of the aura of Genesis knight and mana. His energy seemed to shake off the chaos clinging to the bodies of his daughter and knights in an instant.
The encroachment has not been resolved. However, the expedition team was able to raise their bodies as if they were going to live with that alone.
"Are you bound to be so surprised every time?"
[I will be careful not to show a disgraceful appearance! I'm just so touched and overwhelmed that you have finally gotten up...]
Chiron gave a faint smile at those words.
Ozdock, as well as the knights, couldn't help but be shocked by the appearance.
Interestingly, Chiron's condition seemed even better than before being engulfed by Kial's chaos. Everyone felt that his energy had become cleaner.
"Starting today, bring me the provisions made from the remnants of chaos. I will purify it with my energy and distribute it again."
[Yes! I will do that, old man!]
While Ozdock energetically retrieved the knights' food, Chiron looked back at the human world and raised Barisada.
It was to pay respects to Ron, who had stopped Gleyk in the end and sacrificed himself in battle.
And suddenly, a curiosity and trust towards his youngest son arose within him.
'Seeing that I can feel the shadow force from Ron's faint remaining energy even now... The youngest must have played a role in his final enlightenment. In the end, restoring the clan to its proper place is undoubtedly his responsibility.'
Luna, who gained her energy, also raised her mana naturally contributing to Chiron's energy. Like Chiron, she was harboring the same thoughts.